Where in the world is this?

Things Happen
Does one really need to ask where this is? This is so “Hong Kong” that it would be difficult to place this scene anywhere else but in Hong Kong. I say this because, this is the Hong Kong I know.
Now, having said that, my “Hong Kong” is not always going to be the same as anyone else’s “Hong Kong”.
Philosophy of Photography
This sort of touches on the “philosophy of photography” thing, the whole “decisive moment” thing, “mirrors and windows” and whatever else can be hauled out of that bucket of thoughts and thinking.
I don’t always know what I do and I don’t always know why I do what I do. It just happens – as in the case of this particular image.
I was out looking for something else. In the process, I was about to take a short cut down a lane to a nearby high street. As I turned into the lane, I came across this fellow squatting on the steps and hammering away at a wok. “This is weird”, were my first thoughts. With that, I lifted up the camera and started photographing the scene before me. And, as they say, “the rest fell into place”.
Has this image been “cooked”? Of course it’s been cooked. Living in the digital age, what else would you expect? If I was shooting on film, be it in black and white, colour transparency or colour negative then, the resulting image would be a by-product of that imagining material and associated processes.
With digital, much the same applies. In this case, using the available software tools to suit and serve the purpose – as in creating and/or finishing off an image.
That said, not much has done to this image. There’s very little cropping, little in the way of any adjustment and, above all, no directing. This image is, as it happened.
In my digital workflow I usually use Nik Software via Photoshop CS6 to finish off my images. In this instance, I used two filters in Color Efex Pro. And, that’s just about it.
Things happen. Enjoy…
TECHNICAL NOTES: This image was taken using a Fujifilm X-T1 digital capture device coupled with a Fujinon Super EBC XF 18-55 f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens.
Where else to find us on the web
Rogan’s work is featured on the following websites:
This is a portfolio website featuring some of Rogan’s social documentary photography using Fuji gear.
Print Sales & Image Licensing:
Interested in buying a print or licencing this image? You’re in the right place. For the time being, please contact me using our contact form. For prices, please check out our print price guide. Commercial use image licensing starts at US$250/image/usage. We could come to some arrangement for personal downloads. If you’re interested, please let me know.
You can find out more about Rogan and why he does what he does here on his ‘Artist’s Statement’ page.
More photography can be reviewed at our sister websites, The Lost Years Project and the Rogan Coles Photo Shop. Yes, we have an online web store where we sell fine art photography but, this print might not be featured there.
originally written and posted on 140414 – reposted on 190119 – revised on 230327.